This song was mentioned by GUEST,henryp on 28 Mar 23, and it may be the same song that Stilly River Sage mentioned earlier, on 19 Mar 23:


BLACK LUNG
As recorded by Hazel Dickens on “Classic Labor Songs from Smithsonian Folkways,” 2006.

He’s had more hard luck than most men could stand.
The mines were his first love, but never his friend.
He’s lived a hard life, and hard he’ll die.
Black lung’s done got him. His time is nigh.

Black lung, black lung, you’re just biding your time.
Soon all this suffering I’ll leave behind.
But I can’t help but wonder what God had in mind
To send such a devil to claim this soul of mine.

He went to the boss man, but he closed the door.
Well, it seems you’re not wanted when you’re sick and you’re poor.
You’re not even covered in their medical plans,
And your life depends on the favors of men.

Down in the poorhouse on starvation’s plan,
Where pride is a stranger and doomed is a man,
His soul full of coal dust till his body’s decayed
And everyone but black lung’s done turned him away.

Black lung, black lung, your hand’s icy cold.
As you reach for my life, you torture my soul.
Cold as that waterhole down in the dark cave
Where I spent my life’s blood, digging my own grave.

Down at the graveyard, the boss man came
With his little bunch of flowers. Dear God! What a shame.
Take back those flowers. Don’t you sing no sad songs.
The die has been cast now. A good man is gone.